Sanitary pad



Dec. 3, 1957 H. s. MAKELA 2 SANITARY PAD Filed Dec. 12, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR HILDA sun/(51.4

ATTORNE? H. s. MAKELA 2,815,027

SANITARY PAD Filed Dec. 12, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet z INVENTOR H/LDA s. MA/(ELA ATTORNEY United States Patent SANITARY PAD Hilda S. Makela, Waukegan, Ill. Application December 12, 1955, Serial No. 552,435

6 Claims. (Cl. 128-290) This invention relates to a new type of sanitary pad adapted for both hygienic and medical uses; and it especially relates to a pad of this type which is adapted for normal as well as abnormal use either as a sanitary napkin or as a bed pad.

The sanitary napkins heretofore generally in use have all had various disadvantages. One of the most serious of these disadvantages was the fact that they were not sufficiently protective. In the case of an extraordinarily heavy flow, as, for example, where there were internal disorders or during confinement, these prior type pads would soon become saturated and would then permit seepage therethrough. This resulted in damage to clothing and bedding and was often the cause of much embarrassment. Consequently, where the flow was unusually heavy, it was often necessary to use two or more pads at once. This caused discomfort because of the bulk of the padding and also resulted in chafing, itching, burning, and general discomfort.

Another disadvantage of these prior type pads was the fact that they did not provide sufficient protection against odors. This was an especially acute problem in cases of heavy How.

A still further disadvantage of these prior type pads was the fact that it was diflicult to dispose of them, after use, without contaminating the hands.

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a sanitary pad which will prevent seepage, regardless of the heaviness of flow, without the necessity of using more than one pad at a time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary pad which will not chafe, bind, itch, or otherwise cause discomfort to the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary pad which will be effective in keeping odors to a minimum.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary pad which can be disposed of, after use, without contaminating the hands.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an improved sanitary pad, of the character described,

that is easily and economically produced, which is sturdy in construction, and which is highly efiicient in use.

With the above and related objects in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts, as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sanitary napkin embodying the present invention, the device being shown in partially open condition.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the internal pad shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the internal pad of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view, similar to Fig. 1, but showing an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of Fig. 5.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, there is shown a sanitary napkin, generally designated 10, which comprises an inner resilient absorbent packing or core 12 made of matted cellulosic material such as cotton layers, soft paper or the like, encompassed, at least partially, by a liner 14. The liner 14 is constructed of a moisture-proof material, preferably resilient and transparent, such as polyethylene.

The liner 14 encases the bottom and overlaps the sides and ends of the absorbent packing or core. It is applied by placing the packing or core, which is flat and somewhat oval in shape, on the liner, which is generally rec tangular and larger in area than the packing or core. The liner is then overlapped on the sides, as at 16, and preferably heat-sealed, along the margins, to the top of the packing or core; the points of sealing being indicated at 18 in Figs. 1 and 4.

After the sides have been sealed together, the ends of the liner are each overlappingly drawn together, as at 20, and are then folded over the ends of the packing or core. They are then sealed down in similar manner to the side edges.

After the moisture-proof liner 14 has been applied and sealed in place, a guard layer of soft, absorbent material, which may be similar to the material of the internal packing, is applied both to the top and bottom of the device. Both of these guard layers are preferably similar in shape to the internal packing 12.

The top guard layer 22 is applied in such a manner that its marginal edges 24 overlap the edges and ends of the moisture-proof liner 14, thereby sealing off the exposed top portion of the internal packing or core 12 and are heat sealed to the overlapped marginal edges of line 14. The bottomguard layer 26, as best shown in Fig. 2, is of approximately the same shape as the packing or core 12, but is provided withfore-shortened, squared-01f ends 28.

When the complete inner pad, including the packing or core 12, liner 14 and guard layers 22 and 26, has been formed, it is then enclosed within a gauze wrapper 30. This wrapper is of generally rectangular shape but much larger than the inner pad. The pad is enfolded within the wrapper 30 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, with the ends 32 of the wrapper extending beyond the inner pad.

The napkin is applied, with the top portion thereof against the body. The top guard layer 22, in. that position, provides a soft protective layer, under the gauze, which prevents chafing, itching and burning, while yet permitting the excretion fluid to seep through into the packing. However, it cannot seep from the packing since thls 1s completely prevented by the liner 14. The liner 14 also acts as a strengthening means for the device. The

lower guard layer 26 prevents any possible contact between the liner 14 and the body, thereby, also preventing chafing, itching, and burning. The streamers 32, at each end of the napkin, provide means for attaching the napkin to a sanitary belt by means of pins, snaps or other appropriate fastening devices.

In order to prevent odors, suitable deodorizing substances in the form of powders, crystals or liquid sprays, can be applied between the packing and the liner 14. The liner acts to hold the deodorizing material firmly in place. The deodorizing substances, themselves, may take the form of any of various types now in common use.

The sanitary napkin described above is designed to give the user every safety protection against soiling of clothing and offensive odors. It is also lighter in weight and small in bulk than those previously in use.

When removing the napkin, after use, the soiled pad can be rolled up, with the liner facing outwardly; thereby reducing contamination and offensive odors to a minimum.

In addition to serving as a sanitary napkin, the present invention may also be embodied in a bed pad which is especially useful for heavy menstrual flows, as, for example, in confinement cases. It is adapted to serve substantially the same purpose as the napkin, except that the bed pad lies loosely under the buttocks instead of being worn tightly against the body.

The bed pad is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, where it is generally shown at 100; and comprises an inner packing 102, generally rectangular in shape and covered on the bottom and sides by a liner 104. Both the packing and liner are made of materials Which are similar to those used in the above-described sanitary napkin.

The liner is overfolded along the marginal edges of the upper surface of the packing, as at 106, and is heat-sealed in place thereon in the manner described above.

A sheet 108, of absorbent material, overlaps the overfolded edges 106 of the liner and is held in place by the overlapping side portions 110 of a sheet 112 which completely underlies the bottom of the pad. The overlapping portions 110 are, preferably, heat-sealed to the surface of sheet 108.

A gauze wrapping 114 encases the entire bed pad in similar manner to the sanitary napkin, except that it is completely overfolded, since no fastening streamers are necessary.

A device, similar to the above-described bed pad in every way, except that it would be much smaller, may be effectively used as a bandage or as a compress which may be applied, with heat, to boils, sores, cuts, sprains, etc. It is espectially effective as a compress since the moistureresistant liner is also an insulator which will tend to keep the heat longer.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as being illustrative rather than limiting, since the invention may be variously embodied, and the scope of the invention is to be determined as claimed. 7

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, what is claimed is:

1. A sanitary member comprising a pad having an internal resilient, absorbent core, a moisture-resistant backing member encasing a portion of said core, and an absorbent layer covering the remainder of said core, said moisture-resistant backing member being sealed, at its marginal portions, to marginal portions of both said core and said absorbent layer, said pad being enclosed within a permeable wrapper.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a second absorbent layer underlies said backing member within said Wrapper.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said Wrapper forms oppositely extending streamers adapted to serve as attachment means.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said wrapper is overfolded to closely follow the complete contour of said pad.

5. A sanitary napkin comprising a pad which includes an inner resilient, absorbent core, a moisture-resistant liner encasing a portion of said core, the remainder of said core being covered by an absorbent layer, said absorbent layer being sealed, at its marginal portions, to the marginal portions of said liner, a second absorbent layer underlying that portion of said core which is completely covered by said liner, and a permeable Wrapper enclosing said pad, said wrapper being formed with oppositely extending streamers extending from opposite sides of said pad.

6. A sanitary member comprising a pad which includes an inner resilient, absorbent core, a moisture-resistant liner underlying the bottom surface of said core and overlapping the marginal portions of the upper surface of said core, an absorbent layer overlying the upper surface and overlapping the marginal portions of said liner, a second absorbent layer underlying said liner and having edge portions overlapping the edge portions of said first absorbent layer in sealing relationship thereto, and a perme able Wrapper closely enclosing the entire pad.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

